The nine alleged Islamic State recruits picked up by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) this month were instructed to conduct a noticeable terrorist activity at local level, sources said on Thursday. On completing the mission, they were promised to be taken abroad to join the fight in the Middle East.
An officer who is part of the investigation said, “Inquiries indicate poisoning water or food in Maharashtra was given as a chance to prove themselves.”
The ATS is using cellular location mapping and custodial interrogation to check if the accused conducted recces of any reservoirs in the State to select them as targets for poisoning.
The officer said, “We are not sure whose idea it was to forsake guns and bombs and indulge in chemical warfare. The strategy is simple yet effective and requires experience and initiative. We are trying to find out whether the accused travelled out of the State to look for potential targets.”